Networks
What is the difference between LAN and WAN?
LAN or Local Area Network connect computers within a building or group of buildings on one site. They operate in a small geographical area and the computers (teminals) are linked together by cables. LAN's are often found in schools, offices or hospitals and often contain a central computer known as a network server which perform a function for other computers on the network.

WAN or Wide Area Networks connect computers which are located thousands of kilometers in distance. they rely on links such as coaxial cables, fibre optic or microwave devices. They consist of a main computer system known as the host computer. WAN can use both fast private leased lines and telephone lines.

Give examples of networks that would be classified as WAN and LAN
- Networks within a school would be classified as a LAN network as students need to be within the school's perimeter to have access to the network and connect to it. This is also similar to the Wi-Fi network within McDonalds as customers also need to be within the building to use their internet connections.

- The internet can be classified as a type of WAN network as it spands a large geographical area and transmits data using common communication links such as telephone lines.

How will the NBN (national broadband network) effect communication between LAN's
the NBN plan is to connect Australia to high speed internet broadband using fibre optic cables. These are tubes consisting of many smaller cables in which light travels through to gain power. Within the current system data travels through copper cables, slower than fibre optics as light is the fastest traveling substance. By implementing fibre optics within LAN's across Australia many will be able to transfer data such as video and images much faster taking technology within businesses and schools to the next level.

Create an image of what hardware/configuration a LAN would be made of

external image twolans.gifexternal image lanhardware2.gif